The Bears didn’t run to the waiver wire to find Eddie Goldman’s replacement after he opted out of playing in 2020 due to health concerns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
That leads me to believe Chicago will exhaust all internal options before bringing someone from outside the organization. Which is fine. The Bears’ defensive line is deep. Their defensive coordinator is creative. And there’re multiple ways to put together a fearsome front seven.
Among them is a 2018 late-round pick:
#Bears DL Bilal Nichols is getting a chance to play some NT in the absence of Eddie Goldman. "I am ready to step up." This is an important 3rd season for him now fully healed from broken hand in week 2('19). Quickness and strength to be disruptive and versatile.@WBBMNewsradio
— Jeff Joniak (@JeffJoniak) August 17, 2020
#Bears defensive lineman Bilal Nichols played nose today in place of Eddie Goldman. He said believes he can handle it. He and Akiem Hicks gave the offensive line plenty of problems early during some run-game work.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 17, 2020
It looks like third-year player Bilal Nichols got the first crack at replacing Goldman. And it sounds like he is up to the challenge. Nichols is a 3-4 defensive end by trade, with his most productive role being a three-technique interior lineman. But for what it’s worth, Nichols isn’t new to the nose tackle position. Nichols hasplayed some snaps at nose in each of his first two seasons. Not enough for me to draw a strong conclusion, but enough to pique my interest.
Nichols’ combination of speed and quickness gives him a chance to beating interior blockers with quick attacks. Compared to Goldman’s power and space-eating game, Nichols’ provides a stark difference at the nose. But just because it’s different doesn’t mean it will be ineffective. That Nichols and Akiem Hicks are already giving offensive linemen fits is a good sign. But it also gives me heartburn knowing the Bears’ offensive line already has issues. So many mixed emotions!
It’s just one practice. And the Bears still have various other internal options who figure to see some time at nose tackle. So don’t put Nichols’ name on the starting lineup card just yet. However, I’m intrigued by where this could go — even if Nichols isn’t the prototype at the position.